Mug with removable base for attaching weights

ABSTRACT

A drinking vessel includes a bottom, a side wall, an open top, an interior reservoir for holding a liquid beverage, and a handle integrally molded with the side wall. A base plate includes a shaft extending upwardly from a top surface and including screw threads for threaded engagement within a threaded bore in the bottom of the drinking vessel. A weight plate with a central aperture fits over the threaded shaft and is sandwiched between the base plate and the bottom of the drinking vessel to thereby removably secure the weight plate on the bottom of the drinking vessel. In one embodiment, the drinking vessel is a beer mug. In another embodiment, the drinking vessel is a coffee mug. A further embodiment includes an insulated sleeve that fits snugly within the interior reservoir of the drinking vessel for holding a beverage can or bottle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a weighted drinking vessel and, more particularly, to a mug that includes a removable base plate for selectively attaching and removing weight plates of a variety of weight to the bottom of the mug.

Discussion of the Related Art

Drinking a beer has sometimes been referred to as doing 12 ounce curls; humorously suggesting that the arm motion of lifting a beer from a bar top or table and tilting the beer towards ones mouth is the equivalent of performing a bicep curl exercise with weights (e.g., using a dumbbell) as part of a fitness routine. Depending on the size of the drinking vessel (i.e., bottle, can, mug, etc.) the action may be referred to as a 12 ounce curl, 16 ounce curl, 20 ounce curl, etc.

In the past, others have proposed novelty drinking vessels that exploit the humorous suggestion of doing curls while drinking beer. One example is a donut shaped weight that fits over the neck of a beer bottle. Other examples, as seen in U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D456,215; and Des. 298,901, combine a beer mug with a dumbbell that is positioned vertically so that the beer mug sits on the top of the dumbbell.

The present invention proposes a novelty beer mug and coffee mug that allows for attaching different weight plates, of varying weight, to the bottom of the mug. For example, for a beer mug, the weight of the plate may range between 5 pounds to possibly as much as 25 pounds, while the weight of the plate for the coffee mug may range between 0.25 pounds to 2.5 pounds.

Objects and Advantages of the Invention

Considering the forgoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a mug that allows for selective attachment and removal of different size weight plates of varying weight to the bottom of the mug.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a mug that is molded as a single, unitary piece including an integrally molded handle, and a separate base plate that easily screws into the bottom of the mug for removably securing any one of a variety of size weight plates (i.e., having varying weight) to the bottom of the mug.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a beer mug formed of a solid plastic material including an integrally molded handle, and further including a base plate with a threaded shaft that is received within a threaded bore in the bottom of the mug, and further wherein a conventional weight plate can be placed over the shaft and sandwiched between the base plate and the bottom of the beer mug to thereby effectively secure the weight plate to the bottom of the beer mug.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a coffee mug that allows for selective attachment and removal of different size weight plates to the bottom of the coffee mug.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a mug that allows for selective attachment of different size weights (i.e., of varying weight) to the bottom of the mug, and wherein the mug is dishwasher safe.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a beer mug that allows for selective attachment of different size weight plates to the bottom of the beer mug, and wherein the beer mug is molded as a solid transparent plastic material including an integrally formed handle that can be securely grasped by the user's hand while comfortably lifting the filled mug including a weight on the bottom.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a drinking vessel that includes an open top communicating with an interior reservoir for holding a liquid beverage, and a handle integrally molded with an exterior side wall of the drinking vessel. A bottom of the drinking vessel includes a threaded bore extending vertically along a longitudinal central axis of the mug. The threaded bore is surrounded by an area of increased thickness at a lower portion of the drinking vessel. A separate base plate includes a bottom surface, a top surface and a shaft extending upwardly from the top surface and including screw threads for threaded engagement within the threaded bore, to thereby attach the base plate to the bottom of the drinking vessel. A weight plate with a central aperture fits over the threaded shaft and is sandwiched between the base plate and the bottom of the mug when the threaded shaft of the base plate is fully screwed into the bottom of the mug so that the top surface of the base plate is pressed against the weight plate. In one embodiment, the drinking vessel is a beer mug. In another embodiment, the drinking vessel is a coffee mug. A further embodiment includes an insulated sleeve that fits snugly within the interior reservoir of the drinking vessel for holding a beverage can or bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the mug along with a removable base plate and weight plate in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the mug is a beer mug;

FIG. 2 is a top front perspective view showing the embodiment of FIG. 1 fully assembled including the beer mug, the base plate and the weight plate sandwiched between the base plate and the bottom of the mug so that the weight plate is held securely on the bottom of the mug;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, shown fully assembled, and in partial cross section to illustrate attachment of the base plate and weight plate to the bottom of the mug;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a user drinking from the weighted beer mug of the present invention and performing the beer drinking “curl”;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention directed to a coffee mug with the removable base plate and weight plate for removable attachment to the bottom of the coffee mug;

FIG. 6 is a top front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, shown fully assembled with the base plate secured to the bottom of the coffee mug and with the weight plate sandwiched between the base plate and coffee mug and securely attached thereto;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein an insulated sleeve and beverage can are received within the reservoir of the beer mug of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a top front perspective view showing the fully assembled beer mug of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the insulated sleeve and beverage can received within the reservoir of the beer mug.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4, a first embodiment of the drinking vessel 10 of the present invention is shown and is in the form of a beer mug 12. The beer mug 12 includes a bottom portion 14, a vertically extending side wall structure 16 extending upwardly from the bottom portion and terminating at a top rim 17 surrounding an open top 18. The side wall structure 16 surrounds a reservoir 20 for holding a liquid beverage therein. The beer mug 12 further includes a handle 22 having an elongate handle opening 24 and an elongate grip portion 26 that allows for comfortable grasping of the handle within the user's hand while drinking from the mug 12. In a preferred embodiment, the mug 12, including the handle 22, is molded as a integral, unitary one-piece structure. Preferably, the mug 12 is molded of a plastic composition that is dishwasher safe and food grade safe for use to consume beer and other beverages. In a preferred embodiment, the plastic composition is transparent so that the entire molded mug 12 is transparent. The bottom portion 14 of the mug 12 has an increased thickness to allow formation of a threaded bore 30 through the exterior bottom of the mug. The bore is centrally positioned on the bottom and extends upwardly along a vertical axis of the mug, terminating before an inner bottom surface of the reservoir. The bore 30 has coarse female threads, preferably having a pitch of eight threads per inch.

As seen in FIGS. 1-3, the weighted drinking vessel 10 of the present invention further includes a separate base plate 40 having a top surface 42 and a bottom surface 44. A vertical threaded shaft 46 is centrally positioned on the top surface of the base plate and is specifically sized and dimensioned for receipt within the threaded bore 30 in the bottom of the beer mug 12. The vertical shaft member 46 of the base plate is provided with coarse male threads preferably having a thread pitch of eight threads per inch. The male threads on the shaft 46 are specifically sized and pitched for threaded engagement with the female threads within the hollow bore 30 in the bottom of the beer mug 12 to allow screw threaded attachment of the base plate 40 to the bottom of the beer mug 12.

In one embodiment of the invention, the beer mug 12 is molded of a transparent plastic composition so that the vertically extending side wall structure 16 has a thickness of approximately 0.25 inches and the bottom portion 14 has a thickness measured from the exterior bottom surface to the inner interior bottom surface of the reservoir of approximately 1.5 inches. The threaded bore 30 has an inner diameter of approximately 1.0 inches and depth of approximately 1.25 inches. Moreover, in one embodiment of the invention, the base plate is also molded of a transparent plastic composition and has a thickness of approximately 0.5 inches. The threaded shaft 46 has an outer diameter of approximately 1.0 inches to match the inner diameter of the threaded bore 30. The length of the shaft 46 is longer than the depth of the threaded bore 30 so that the length of the shaft 46 is greater than the depth of the threaded bore 30 to accommodate for the thickness of the weight plate 50 that is sandwiched between the base plate and the exterior bottom surface of the mug 12. In one embodiment, the threaded shaft 46 has a length of approximately 1.75 inches. Additionally, the base plate and the mug have an overall diameter of approximately 5.0 inches. Finally, in one embodiment of the invention, the beer mug 12 has an overall height measured from the bottom surface of the mug to the top rim of approximately 7.75 inches. While the above dimensions are set forth in accordance with one preferred embodiment, it is recognized that the dimensions of all the structural features of the beer mug 12 and the base plate 40, including the threaded bore 30 and threaded shaft 46 can vary.

The combination of the base plate 40 with the threaded shaft 46 and the threaded bore 30 through the bottom of the beer mug 12 allows for selective attachment and removal of varying size weight plates 50 having a variety of weight, as selected by the user. The weight plate 50 can be any conventional weight plate, as commonly used with dumbbells and barbells in the fitness industry. Alternatively, the weight plate 50 may be specifically designed for use with the present invention. In any case, the weight plate 50 includes a central aperture 52 that is sized (i.e., diameter) to allow for passage of the threaded shaft 46 of the base plate 40 therethrough with no resistance but without leaving a significant gap that would allow for excess play (i.e., movement) between the shaft 46 and the aperture 52 in the weight plate 50. To selectively attach a weight plate 50 to the bottom of the beer mug, the weight plate 50 is placed onto the base plate 40, with the threaded shaft 46 of the base plate passing through the aperture 52 of the weight plate 50. With the weight plate 50 resting on the top surface 42 of the base plate, the mug 12 can be screwed onto the threaded shaft 46. More specifically, the mug 12 is placed down onto the threaded shaft 46, so that the threaded shaft aligns properly with the threaded bore 30 in the bottom of the mug, and the mug 12 is then rotated to engage the male threads of the shaft 46 on the base plate 40 with the female threads within the bore 30 in the bottom of the mug. The mug 12 is continuously rotated until tightened down onto the weight plate 50, so that the weight plate is effectively sandwiched between the base plate 40 and the exterior bottom surface of the mug 12, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. When fully secured, the top surface 42 of the base plate 40 is pressed against a bottom of the weight plate 50, and a top of the weight plate 50 is pressed firmly against the bottom surface of the beer mug 12, as seen in FIG. 3. The user can then fill the reservoir 20 of the mug 12 with beer or another liquid beverage and consume the beverage, as seen in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a further embodiment of the drinking vessel of the present invention is generally indicated as 10A and is directed to a coffee mug 60 having an integrally molded handle 62, a vertical side wall structure 64 and an open top 66. The bottom of the coffee mug 60 is similar in design to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, including an increased thickness and a hollow bore in the bottom, with female threads. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 4, a base plate 70 includes a threaded shaft 72 with male threads that are adapted for threaded engagement with the female threads in the bore formed into the bottom of the coffee mug 60. Similar to as described above, in connection with the first embodiment, a weight plate 50 is placed over the threaded shaft 72 of the base plate 70 and the coffee mug 60 can then be screwed down onto the threaded shaft 72 of the base plate to effectively secure the weight plate 50 to the bottom of the coffee mug 60, as seen in FIG. 6. The weight plate 50 in this particular embodiment is generally the same as the weight plate 50 described in connection with the first embodiment, except that the size and weight of the weight plate 50 is considerably smaller, to be consistent with the size of the coffee mug.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a further embodiment of the invention provides an insulated sleeve 70 that is specifically sized and configured to be snugly received within the interior reservoir 20 of the beer mug 12 for holding a beverage can 100 or bottle, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The insulated sleeve 70 is preferably formed of a rubber foam material and is able to stretch to conform to the specific shape and contour of the beverage can 100 or bottle, as well as the interior dimensions of the reservoir 20 of the beer mug 12. Similar to the previously described embodiments, a weight plate 50 of a selected size and weight can be removably secured to the bottom of the beer mug 12 with the use of the base plate 30.

While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention which is not to be limited except as defined in the following claims as interpreted under the Doctrine of Equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A drinking vessel comprising: a mug having a bottom portion, a side wall structure extending upwardly from the bottom portion to the top rim surrounding an open top and an interior reservoir surrounded by the side wall structure and communicating with the open top, and the interior reservoir being structured and disposed for holding a liquid beverage therein, and a handle on an exterior of the side wall structure, and the mug, including the handle, being formed as a unitary, one-piece structure, and the mug further including a hollow threaded bore formed through a bottom surface and into the bottom portion of the mug, and the threaded bore including female threads therein; a base plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a threaded shaft extending upwardly from the top surface and centrally positioned on the top surface of the base plate, and the threaded shaft including male threads about an exterior thereof, and the threaded shaft being sized, structured and configured for screw threaded attachment within the threaded bore in the bottom of the mug; and at least one weight plate having a central aperture sized and configured for passage of the threaded shaft therethrough, and the weight plate being structured and disposed to rest on the top surface of the base plate, wherein screw threaded attachment of the threaded shaft of the base plate into the threaded bore in the bottom of the mug serves to sandwich the weight plate between the top surface of the base plate and the bottom surface of the mug for secure attachment thereto.
 2. The drinking vessel as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of weight plates each having a different size and weight, and each of the plurality of weight plates including a central aperture for passage of the threaded shaft of the base plate therethrough to allow for attachment and removal of the weight plate on the bottom of the mug.
 3. The drinking vessel as recited in claim 1 wherein the mug is formed of a transparent plastic composition.
 4. The mug as recited in claim 3 wherein the base plate, including the threaded shaft, is formed of a transparent plastic composition.
 5. The drinking vessel as recited in claim 1 wherein the mug is a beer mug.
 6. The drinking vessel as recited in claim 1 wherein the mug is a coffee mug.
 7. The drinking vessel as recited in claim 1 further comprising: an insulated sleeve sized, structured and configured for snug fitted receipt within the interior reservoir of the mug, and the insulated sleeve being further structured and disposed for snug fitted receipt of a beverage can or bottle therein to thereby hold the beverage can or bottle within the mug in secure, snug fitted position for consumption of a beverage contained in the can or bottle. 